reading

Clear out time again May 22, 2023

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It’s that time again, to clear out the growing stockpile of read books.

This first one is the most recent and it turned out to be more engaging than first expected. It was a family saga with lots of drama and an interesting twist which meant pretty much nothing turned out the way I thought it would. I loved it. Another part of the intrigue, family secrets, lots of them. It was the fresh take on family life and that provided the attractive element.

Going to the Water 

A Place and a Story That Will Take Your Breath Away

Mama always said our lives were ghost stories—metaphors—to hide the truth behind.

And so begins the struggle Isla Weehunt—wife of wealthy chicken farmer, Scott Weehunt—encounters to keep her family buried in the past and her secrets well hidden. But plans, no matter how well thought out, have a way of taking their own paths.

Isla receives a call late one Friday night that rocks her perfectly crafted life. Velvet, her estranged sister of seventeen years, has died in what appears to be an arson, leaving behind a teenage son, Randal, and a tangled mess of murder and chaos. Isla never thought she would return to Nantahala, to the sweet, rugged gorge of her childhood. And taking her nephew into her life was certainly never on her agenda. The thought of conversing with her mother, devastated by Alzheimer’s, seems out of reach. But there are questions that need answering about Velvet’s death and hidden stories that go back generations.

Isla’s life will change whether she embraces it or not.

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This next one was a keeper too. I wanted it to go on much longer than it did and I hope to see more from this author. Both of these books are a first exposure to these authors and I was impressed with them both.

MAYA HOPE: A Medical Thriller (A Dr. Nicklaus Hart Novel Book 1)

A doctor stumbling through life. A North Korean bioterrorist plot.
The two collide in an unforgettable tale.

Dr. Nicklaus Hart, a gifted trauma surgeon, searches for meaning in his life. His self-reliant spirit is broken with the death of his missionary best friend, found sacrificed at the base of a Maya Temple. Going to Guatemala to fill the shoes of his friend at the mission hospital, he discovers God’s redemption and peace in the smiles of the children he cares for. But his own life is in danger as he and his team stumble onto a deadly North Korean plot.

As Nick delves into the mystery of his friend’s death, he exposes the very cause of the extermination of the Maya race…a virus which is about to be released upon the entire world through a bioterrorist scheme of global proportions. Will Nick and his team stop them in time?

Maya Hope is the first book in a series of skillfully crafted medical thrillers. If you like fast-paced adventure, international settings, sizzling medical suspense, then you’ll love this heart-pounding thriller by Timothy Browne.

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Now, finally, a whole bunch of well appreciated reads.

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Bargain books May 18, 2023

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Today is a browsing day and we have at least one book from one of our popular authors. We’ve seen two enjoyable books from this series and expect good things from this one too.

Lineage of Corruption: Page-Turning Romantic Suspense (Coventry Saga) 

In the world of big money and big politics, nobody walks away unscathed.

The people of Coventry never suspect that Josie Smith, owner of the local coffee shop, is the daughter of a powerful senator. She went to Washington to serve constituents, but her desire to do good morphed into a desire to win at all costs. When one of those costs grew too heavy to bear, she changed her name and left DC, vowing to never get involved in politics again. But when her father becomes his party’s lone voice standing against corrupt legislation, his enemies will do whatever it takes to get his vote, and Josie finds herself caught in a familiar web of malicious tactics.

Thomas Windham never planned to run for office, but when Coventry’s disgraced mayor is replaced by a dishonest appointee, Thomas can’t stand to see his town torn apart by corruption. He feels he has no choice but to throw his hat in the ring. He doesn’t have a chance in the mayoral race against the well-known politician, that is until he meets Josie, who knows more about running for office than a typical café owner would.

When Josie is threatened by two masked men, she and Thomas form an alliance—her wisdom for his protection. The election becomes secondary as Josie’s adversaries escalate their attacks. How can she and Thomas withstand enemies determined to get what they want at any cost?

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This next one found is from an author we’ve seen once before. It takes multiple exposures to gain a solid opinion on someone so it’s nice to see another one of her books show up for us.

One Final Breath (Dive Team Investigations Book #3)

When investigator Gabriel Chavez had his cover blown by an aggressive reporter, the silver lining was being able to rejoin the dive team. The downside? Dive team captain Anissa Bell–a woman who both fascinates and frustrates him.

Anissa grew up as a missionary kid on the Micronesian island of Yap and always planned to return after college. But she remained stateside, determined to solve the case that haunts her–the murder of her best friend and the disappearance of a three-year-old child.

When Anissa’s fractured past collides with Gabe’s investigation into the tragic shooting death of a teenage boy in Lake Porter, they’ll have to put their complicated history with each other aside in order to uncover the identity of a killer. What they’ll discover is that revenge has no statute of limitations.

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This is a good day. It looks like Christy Barritt has another pre-order book about to come out.

Troubled Graves (Lantern Beach Exposure Book 4) 

As a resident at Hope House, Gunner Mathias is trying to come to terms with how his life has completely derailed after his last mission as a SEAL.

Noelle Henderson never thought when she took the job at Ocean Essence Cosmetics in Lantern Beach that the choice would lead her back to the man from both her most wonderful dreams and her worst nightmares. Gunner saved her once. Can she help him now? Or will trouble from their past destroy them both first?

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It has been a good day, and I’m done. It’s time again to pick a new read. Decisions, decisions. Too many choices right now, it’s hard to decide.

I really like the book just finished. I’ll mention it soon.

Read and enjoyed. May 09, 2023

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I was hoping I would love this book and I did. It was well written, had great characters with a believable and well put together story line.

I liked the way the two eras meshed. Conversation in the present era incorporated elements being lived out for us in the historical era making the timelines bleed together in a way that was pleasing to the reader.

The idea of reading this book again would be both attractive and enjoyable.

I’ll Be Seeing You 

Generations of secrets unfold as a young college student learns the truth about her great-grandmother’s World War II heartbreak and love. For fans of Francine Rivers and Karen Kingsbury.

Brianna Hastings’s life seems dull and full of disappointment until a handsome young man visits her church. She’s instantly smitten by the charming Greg, who leads an exciting, independent life—the kind of life she longs for. But when a college history assignment forces Brianna to interview her great-grandmother about life during World War II, she can’t believe it when Daisy presses her with questions about Greg’s character. “What sort of man is he? Who is he at his core?”

What could her great-grandmother possibly know about love at first sight?

The questions take both women back to Boise, Idaho, in the early 1940s, when war emphasized how fragile life could be. Daisy and her older sister pine for the same handsome bomber pilot—until one night of terrible judgment reveals their true characters and drives them apart. Trying to protect the people she loves the most, Daisy condemns herself to live a lie.

In the years that follow, as Daisy grapples with the consequences, she receives unexpected grace from a man she’s known her whole life but never looked at twice. Could what she learned about love save Brianna from heartache three generations later?

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Another book I wasn’t sure I would like was this next one. The passage of time since it’s selection and download along with vague impressions the cover and title offered, I wasn’t feeling inspired to read this story. It would have been helpful to go back and read the synopsis but I didn’t. My motivation was slanted toward clearing out and reducing the size of the unread list and so I tackled it just to get it gone.

What a surprise to find out how enjoyable this read would be. It was well worth the time and I’m glad I didn’t pass up the chance to experience this book.

Of Horse and Rider: Hearts Unlocked Series

Plans overheard, a bargain to devise…but is it playing with fire?

In 1849 Mercer County, Kentucky, beautiful Clara Stanton loses her sight, freedom, and fiance after a horse-riding accident. In the throes of her desperation, her family leaves her to recover in the capable hands of an elderly widow while they travel to England without her.

New minister, Daniel Merrick, weary from scandal, is unwittingly led by blind Clara into the most important mission of his life. But will she dare to soar beyond the limits those around her deem safe?

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I would read the book again too, it was that good.

This next one was also an awesome read. I hadn’t read much from this author and she wasn’t showing up on any of my lists, yet, but she is now. I’m always happy to add a new name to my preferred list.

Lakehouse Promises (Laurel Cove Series Book 1) 

Carolina Johnson had the life everyone wanted. A solid marriage of twenty years. A gorgeous house in the most desirable neighborhood. Friends at the country club. Yet, somehow, she always felt the other shoe would drop.

And drop it did! When she discovered her husband’s affair with a girl half his age. Even more devastating, she’s pregnant.

Now divorced, she has to start over in a lake house with too many issues to list, a neighbor who doesn’t like her and zero friends. To make matters worse, her outrageously rude former mother-in-law shows up and expects to spend a few days.

At forty years of age, Carolina has to start her life over from scratch and draw on the last vestiges of strength she has to make a life for herself.

A new life, new problems, and new relationships…can Carolina find out what matters the most in life and discover what true love really looks like? Or will she refuse to let go of the past and the bitterness that threatens to steal her happiness?

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It’s nice to reflect back on these books and remember what a good time was had reading them.

At the time we had not had much action in regard to new downloads and it was necessary to pick from books that had been around for a while. Today’s situation is much different in that we have had many new downloads in the last week. No shortage of appealing reads. A exciting state of affairs to be sure.

My current read is almost finished.

Wild Harbor Beach Collection: Sweet Romance Book Series 

I’m on the last one, book 5. This has been a good time too.

A Wedding in Wild Harbor
She needs someone to save her beloved bookstore. He needs to satisfy his mom’s wishes and find a girlfriend. Can this grumpy-sunshine pair survive an impossible agreement and pretend to be in love? Or will their budding relationship turn into something more? A delightful and surprising happily ever after!

It is finished May 05, 2023

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I loved every moment of it. Well, maybe not every moment, there were 10 books after all and I did love some more than others. In fairness though, the well loved far outnumbered the rest. This is a collection that I am thrilled to recommend, it was a great experience and I’ve added more than a few new names to my favorite authors list. I may even read this collection again sometime.

What did I love the most? A few things. The biggest one was the quality of the writing and editing. No matter how engaging, exciting, and fresh the story line, it takes top notch writing to make it unforgettable. It happened often for me in this collection.

Having said all that, I need to offer encouragement. No one achieves awesome without practice so while I love awesome, I’m still happy to read best efforts no matter what stage someone is at in their writing career. I can appreciate what it takes to produce these stories, and I know I couldn’t do it. So, I applaud you for your efforts.

The rest of my appreciation goes to the fresh story ideas. It takes work to come up with something new and I appreciate the efforts the authors put into this collection.

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I’m trying to decide what comes next. With so many new downloads this week there are too many good choices. At the moment I’m looking at the two most recent ones. I’ve read the first chapter of Tru so maybe I’ll start there.

Free book May 04, 2023

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This is an awesome day. I’m between books and BookRunes has a Free suggestion I can hardly wait to read. I love a good story with a feisty woman willing to stand up to any man. It’s even more fun when he pours on the charm and keeps trying anyway. Lots of smiles and bouts of laughter.

Thimbles and Thistles: Sweet Historical Western Romance (Baker City Brides Book 2)

Stubborn, mule-headed, independent woman!

She’d take that as a compliment…

Maggie Dalton has no need for a man in her life. Widowed more than ten years, she’s built a successful business and managed quite well on her own in the bustling town of Baker City, Oregon. Aggravated by her inability to block thoughts of the handsome lumber mill owner from her mind, she renews her determination to resist his attempts at friendship.

Full of Scottish charm and mischief, Ian MacGregor could claim any available woman in Baker City as his own, except the enchanting dress shop owner who continues to ignore him. Not one to give up on what he wants, Ian vows to win Maggie’s heart or leave the town he’s come to love.

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So, technically, I’m not between books. Last night (or more precisely, early this morning) I finished book 8 in the ten book collection I’m reading. I loved it so much I wanted to hold my place in the book so I could find the author’s name again in the morning. I wanted to add it to my preferred authors list.

While I was waiting to think about sleep I decided to start one of the many recent downloads, you know, just check it out a little.

It looked like a good choice at the time but now that I’ve seen today’s book… I’m ditching both the partially read collection and last night’s new pick in favor of today’s awesome download.

I’m not even going to spend time browsing today. The minute the download is complete, I’m out of here.

It’s done! See ya later.

Check it out if you could use a good laugh too.

Free and Bargain books part two May 03, 2023

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What a nice surprise, there’s more. This is a one-thing-led-to-another situation. I’m not complaining.

So, this first one is an author I’ve never read or even noticed before. It looks like the story will be intense but I still want to read it to see what this author is all about. Will he be a new favorite?

MAYA HOPE: A Medical Thriller (A Dr. Nicklaus Hart Novel Book 1)

A doctor stumbling through life. A North Korean bioterrorist plot.
The two collide in an unforgettable tale.

Dr. Nicklaus Hart, a gifted trauma surgeon, searches for meaning in his life. His self-reliant spirit is broken with the death of his missionary best friend, found sacrificed at the base of a Maya Temple. Going to Guatemala to fill the shoes of his friend at the mission hospital, he discovers God’s redemption and peace in the smiles of the children he cares for. But his own life is in danger as he and his team stumble onto a deadly North Korean plot.

As Nick delves into the mystery of his friend’s death, he exposes the very cause of the extermination of the Maya race…a virus which is about to be released upon the entire world through a bioterrorist scheme of global proportions. Will Nick and his team stop them in time?

Maya Hope is the first book in a series of skillfully crafted medical thrillers. If you like fast-paced adventure, international settings, sizzling medical suspense, then you’ll love this heart-pounding thriller by Timothy Browne.

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This next one is from a favorite author and it’s a story I’m looking forward to reading.

I’ll Be Seeing You

Generations of secrets unfold as a young college student learns the truth about her great-grandmother’s World War II heartbreak and love. For fans of Francine Rivers and Karen Kingsbury.

Brianna Hastings’s life seems dull and full of disappointment until a handsome young man visits her church. She’s instantly smitten by the charming Greg, who leads an exciting, independent life—the kind of life she longs for. But when a college history assignment forces Brianna to interview her great-grandmother about life during World War II, she can’t believe it when Daisy presses her with questions about Greg’s character. “What sort of man is he? Who is he at his core?”

What could her great-grandmother possibly know about love at first sight?

The questions take both women back to Boise, Idaho, in the early 1940s, when war emphasized how fragile life could be. Daisy and her older sister pine for the same handsome bomber pilot—until one night of terrible judgment reveals their true characters and drives them apart. Trying to protect the people she loves the most, Daisy condemns herself to live a lie.

In the years that follow, as Daisy grapples with the consequences, she receives unexpected grace from a man she’s known her whole life but never looked at twice. Could what she learned about love save Brianna from heartache three generations later?

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This has been a good week for new books. Almost more than we need. It’s good because it will make up for the lean weeks we’ve been experiencing the last while.

Bargain collection May 03, 2023

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We have had the first two books, now we get the full five book collection. I’ve read book one.

Wild Harbor Beach Collection: Sweet Romance Book Series 

A charming and heartwarming clean romance book series!

This five-book series follows the lives and love stories of four siblings as they discover the meaning of family, finding home, and falling in love.

Love at Wild Harbor
One chocolate shop. Two fixer uppers. Three feisty sisters. One sweet love story to bring it all together! A second chance romance about a chocolate shop owner who falls for the guy who broke her heart years ago. Now he’s back to help her with her fixer upper and he’s not going to leave until she says yes. Will she let him back into her life…and her heart?

Summer Nights in Wild Harbor
A competitive newspaper journalist meets her handsome match: the guy she’s forced to team up with at work and not fall in love with. Will she get the promotion she desperately wants or will her heart give in to the man who’ll do anything for her? A heartwarming enemies-to-love story!

Christmas Wishes in Wild Harbor
She needs a date for Christmas. He doesn’t want to spend Christmas alone. They make an agreement to fool everyone in town with their fake relationship, only to discover their feelings are anything but pretend. The perfect Christmas book for those who like an idyllic small town Christmas love story!

The Inn at Wild Harbor
A beachside inn and her best friend’s brother. How could she resist either one? Aspen inherits an inn from a relative only to discover her best friend’s brother (and the guy she has a secret crush on) is the handyman there. Can she survive running the inn without her feelings getting in the way? Or will the secrets uncovered in the inn finally bring them together? A delightful friends-to-more romance story!

A Wedding in Wild Harbor
She needs someone to save her beloved bookstore. He needs to satisfy his mom’s wishes and find a girlfriend. Can this grumpy-sunshine pair survive an impossible agreement and pretend to be in love? Or will their budding relationship turn into something more? A delightful and surprising happily ever after!

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That’s it for now.

Free book May 02, 2023

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Another good book day. This one is an author I’ve not read. The first few pages look interesting and the comments promise it will not let you go once you’ve started. Sounds good to me.

Tru: Guardian Group Security Team Book 1

A lie brought them together. The truth could tear them apart.

Knowing her job at Beacon Art Gallery is on shaky ground, Kayleigh Kingston is desperate to prove herself to her boss. Which is why she jumps at the chance to retrieve a treasured artifact and escort it safely back to New York. Little does she know, her boss has a secret… and it could cost Kayleigh everything.

Thaddeus Tru lives to bring criminals to justice, and his latest case seems an easy one. Get cozy with a woman smuggling relics, but be cautious knowing she may be willing to kill to avoid capture. It sounds cut and dry… until he meets Kayleigh.

Tangled in a web of poisonous lies and a magnetic attraction, Tru and Kayleigh are drawn to each other. Will the secrets they harbor crush any hope of a future together? Or the will truths exposed strengthen them to weather any storm?

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Well, it’s only one, but one is better than none.

My current read is a collection and it’s good. I’m impressed and happy. And I’m up to book seven.

Hidden Sins – A Redemption Creek Romantic Suspense by Edie James
Redemption Creek, where sometimes justice needs a helping hand.

Free and bargain books May 01, 2023

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This may be a decent book day. It’s starting out well, anyway. Nothing too intense either, with authors I’ve not often read, just once or twice by the looks of it. BookBub suggested this first one.

Who Murdered Mr. Malone? : A Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Series Book 1

Nothing exciting ever happens in the small town of Belhaven. Nothing that is, until a body was found in the woods behind the local elementary school.

With the entire town in an uproar, “Garden Girl” Gloria Rutherford makes it her personal mission to find the killer or killers and solve the mystery with some help from her friends.

With a little amateur detective work, Gloria is able to uncover enough clues that point right to the murderer. She’s about to discover, however, things aren’t always as clear cut as they would appear.

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The second book showed up while browsing. Book 1 in this series showed up for us several years ago.

Summer Nights in Wild Harbor (Wild Harbor Beach Book 2)

They’re opposites in every way. Forced into sharing an office. Can this headstrong pair reconcile their differences and write their own happily ever after—on and off the page?

Journalist Megan Woods knows that fairy tales don’t come true. So when a handsome stranger shows up to rescue her from a blind date gone wrong, she figures there has to be a catch.

Turns out, he’s her newest competition at the newspaper. Megan thinks she has the editor-in-chief position sewn up, until the annoyingly good looking Finn Avery appears to steal her promotion.

As far as she’s concerned, their relationship is strictly business. But Finn is not anything like she expected. She just has to convince her heart not to fall for the enemy.

Finn Avery moved to Wild Harbor as the town’s newest reporter, only to find out he’s been paired with spitfire Megan Woods. His past holds secrets that have taught him not to take a chance on love.

Both fiercely competitive, they’re opposites in every way. But when they’re forced to team up for a story, the sparks fly.

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One last one from a popular well known author this time.

Trail of Evidence: Faith in the Face of Crime (Capitol K-9 Unit Book 3) 

SAVING HIS SON 

Why is a dead woman’s phone—evidence in a murder investigation—in Jonas Parker’s son’s bedroom? Dangerous thugs are after that phone and his terrified teenager, so the single father turns to Capitol K-9 Unit officer Brooke Clark. Years ago, Brooke broke Jonas’s heart without explanation. But he has to trust her and her highly-trained golden retriever to keep his son safe. When the boy goes missing, Jonas and Brooke must make peace with their past to find the teen—before increasingly desperate criminals get to him first. 

Capitol K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.

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OK, I’m done for today.

Bargain book, and author interview April 30, 2023

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There is a new Christy Barritt book scheduled to be released soon. It’s always a happy day for me when I get to see another one coming out.

Unsteady Ground (Lantern Beach Exposure Book 3)

Trouble from Ty Chambers’s past has arrived in Lantern Beach. A top secret mission the former Navy SEAL was involved with nearly ten years ago has shown up at his door–and brought danger to the island.

If he and his wife, Cassidy, don’t track down the culprit in time, it could mean peril . . . not just for them, but for the entire town.

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I did explore a little for more choices but this is it for now. It was pleasant to find this one because I had accepted there would be none for today. A good finish to the day.

To finish the day I’m watching a interview with two authors. It’s about several fictional books they’ve written centering around Macedonian immigrants to Australia. One of the authors is someone I follow here, and I’ll share her link. You may enjoy it too. The interview is shown on You Tube

http://sckarakaltsas.com/2023/05/01/the-month-that-was-april-2023/